On holiday in Polruan in Cornwall I had decided to check if there was a parkrun anywhere nearby and it turned out that there was one near Bodmin, at Lanhyrock Castle, a National Trust property. As with all parkruns, it was a 9am start so we set off from our campsite at Polruan just before 8. The roads from Polruan are all really narrow, with passing spaces, so it was impossible to go at more than 20mph. At Lerryn, we met a man with a guitar who was hitchhiking so we picked him up and dropped him off at Lostwithiel.
At Lanhydrock, a stream of fit looking and not so fit looking persons in running gear was headed into the park. The start was marked out but the crowd didn't seem too big. There was a distinct lack of kiddies, old folk and unfit looking persons. This should have been a clue. I'd had a look at the map beforehand and the route looked good, through parkland and woodland, just one lap. However, the map did not show the contours.
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| After the parkrun - a bit hot. |
Off we set, without much preamble from the organiser, at a mad gallop, downhill past the lovely manor house. Through some woods and then some more downhill. And more. And more. This was NOT good. The running was good dry trail with some tricky tree roots but it was TOO MUCH downhill. Eventually the route reached the river Fowey and levelled off. Then came the evil uphill puff and slog. I had to walk a bit, my legs would not let me run. Eventually I made it back to the start. Hells bells what a tough one. I think my time was 29 mins + which would have had me weeping at Marple. The first placed runner was from Keswick AC.
On the way back, we went via the little car ferry at Bodinnick which is so efficient and cut out some of the more hair raising roads.
Top tip. Do your research. However, parkruns are always a great way to get out there and do a bit of running in good company, totally free, totally brilliant.
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